When Mark Ingram returned to New Orleans earlier this season, it was only a matter of time.
When the veteran left in 2019, he needed just under 100 yards rushing to become the Saints' all-time rushing leader. He entered Week 10 against the Titans needing just 20 yards to set the new record, and hit that mark on a 6-yard carry in the third quarter against the Titans.
There was some confusion in the first half, with an Ingram run appearing to give him the record. The broadcast announced the mark, but he was still a yard short.
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THE RECORD (as of Week 10)
1. Mark Ingram: 6,124
2. Deuce McAllister: 6,096
3. George Rogers: 4,267
4. Dalton Hilliard: 4,164
5. Alvin Kamara: 3,870
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Ingram said it "sucked" to leave New Orleans jus shy of the record, but always knew he might be back. As it turns out, with Alvin Kamara inactive due to a knee injury, he ended up doing it on day he also shouldered a featured role.
"It’ll be a blessing," Ingram said during the week. "It’s something that, so many great running backs have come through the New Orleans Saints program, especially Deuce. I looked up to him growing up, watching him run the rock. So just to be able to be mentioned with those type of players, that’s something I’m proud of, something I’ve worked very hard for."
While Ingram figuratively looked up to McAllister throughout his career, he could also do it literally at Nissan Stadium in Week 10. WWL Radio's color analyst was up in the press box calling the game when Ingram broke his long-standing mark. Asked Sunday morning, McAllister said it wouldn't be weird, but he was looking forward to talking with Ingram and congratulating him after the record inevitably fell.
"I’m extremely proud for him," McAllister said. "I know some of the things that he has been through, what he’s worked through to get to that point. So I think it’s something, obviously, he has his teammates will definitely enjoy, they definitely earned. And I think for myself, I’m going to call it, I’m gonna talk to him after the game, tell him how proud I am of him.”
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Ingram began his career with the Saints after being selected No. 28 overall out of Alabama in the 2011 draft. He spent 8 seasons in New Orleans, rushing for 6,007 yards and 63 touchdowns, while adding 1,919 receiving yards and another 10 TDs in that span. Ingram has remained close with his former teammates, including defensive end Cam Jordan with whom Ingram hosts the podcast, "Truss Levelz."
The running back returned to New Orleans through a trade with the Houston Texans after Week 7, and has reformed the highly productive duo with Alvin Kamara, who now sits at No. 5 on the team rushing list.
Check back for updates.